Saturday, 17 November 2012

Spooktacular Halloween 2012

Although Halloween isn't really celebrated in India there were lots of opportunities for us all to celebrate at parties and within our community!

Let the Kid Party Begin!
My friend, Schonell, that hosted the party made this cake!!
Does she have MAD SKILLS or what?!

Vampire Mikey & Princess Rayne
(the hostess with the mostess!)

Werewolf David! 
 Cleoptra & Her Gangstah Friend, Jack
Spooky Skeleton Sam & Pirate Jacob
Henrick the Karate Master, Charlie the Jester & Mikey the Pizza Eating Vampire!
The Cutest Witches on the Block - Erica & Rose!
Magic Show
Wow!  Shock n Awe!

 Face Painting
Candy Apples!
The kids all had a GREAT time at Schonell's party!
We couldn't let the kids have ALL the fun so us "Big Kids" got into the spirit of it all and put on our "fancy dresses" and got all decked out for a night of costumes and LOTS of laughs!

Matt had been brainstorming his costume for WEEKS!  He decided to go as one of the security guards from our community.  For 500 rupees ($10) he borrowed one of the guards uniforms for the night and he made his own "Bomb Checker".  Whenever you pull into any public places in India they always stick a mirror under your car to make sure there isn't a bomb.
 Matt the Impersonator with the "Real Deal" ;0)
Look at me!  I'm a Rainbow Trout!  Complete with blinking hair and tutu!  YEP!  Was soooOOooO much fun!
Excuse me, Alice.  Bomb Check.  Yep.  You're clear!
Marion & Martin
Our Hostess and um....Hostess?!
The Queen of Hearts & Alice in Wonderland
Little Red Riding Hood & The Big Bad Wolf!
 Meghan as Medusa!
Jen, Kathrine, Schonell & Jen
Gellerman's KILLED it!  WOW!
Crazy Kids!
Kevin, Daleen & Sharon
Bouke looking Rico Suave!!!
Uh.  Security you lost something!!
Everybody LOVED that mustache!  Hahaha!
Unibrow?!
Aw!  Bouke & Jet!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
The kids got to wear costumes to school for 10 rupees a piece.  The money that was collected went to the Indus Community School.  They decided to make up costumes and not wear their "real" costumes.  They wanted to save those for Halloween Night!


Our Spooky Line-up!
I don't know if you can read her shirt
but it says, "The Monster Cupcake!"
Guess who wanted to borrow Mommy's tutu (Can ya blame her!?)  She got pretty colors in her hair too!
That's some Boston Celtic Irish Pride, right there!
When I asked David what he was he said, "I'm a fweaky alien guy from Stah Wahs."  :0)

Oy!  There was a cyclone in Chennai so we had a WET Halloween night but the kids didn't seem to mind and came home with a BIG haul of candy and The Fab Four is already plotting what they all want to dress up as NEXT year!  Hahaha!
Happy Halloween 2012

Wednesday, 7 November 2012

Paris!!

We had a whirlwind trip flying back from the US this summer but managed to squeeze in a quick stop in Paris on the way back to Bangalore.  Next time - We've got to make it longer!  What an amazing place!! 

Breakfast at a cute and busy French bistro
Fresh orange juice, croissants, cheese, jam & coffee!  YUM!
Bellies are full!  Time to see the city!
Hold Still.  Cooperate.  Love each other....just for two seconds?!  :0)

"Walks Along the Seine"
I could not stop singing the lyrics to "Our Last Summer" by ABBA as we walked around Paris!  :0)
Mom & Daddy's turn!
Batobus
Notre Dame
Magnifiques!
Taking it all in

Spectacular
One last picture of the whole family in front of the Cathedral and then we are ON THE MOVE again! :0)
Waiting for the water taxi

Heading into the Zoo


Uh Oh!  We've got some hot and tired kids on our hands!!

That's nothing a ride on the carousel can't cure!

Rachel on the Antelope
Erica snags an ostrich
Michael proud as a peacock but riding on an antelope :0)

David goes for the gorilla!

Cured!  A ride on the carousel & an ice cold drink can solve a world of troubles (including hot, tired kids with achy feet!)


Chillin'
Guaranteed they were all contemplating a swim in the Seine!

Pretty!
Hmmmm....Wonder where they get this from!?  Chip off the 'ole block, aye?!
(Just in case you are confused....I am NOT the "block" I am referring to!)


"Sun is in my eyes, Mom!!!"  Arghhh!  I know!  Me too!  hahahah!
Musee du Louvre




.Uh oh!  Jet lagged and literally SLEEPING on the table!  Poor Erica!
The kids were the most excited to see the Eiffel Tower so naturally we saved that until LAST!!!
WOW!  There she is!

We made it, Guys!!!



In the shadow of the great Eiffel Tower

Smooch!!!!


Your turn, Guys!  Sibling Smooches!!  YEAH, RIGHT, Mom!!!!
Trying to keep cool!!
Dinner time and now David's the jet lagged one who
 has fallen asleep in my lap!! 
"Walks along the Seine.  Laughing In the Rain.  Our last Summer.  Memories that Remain." 

PARIS SUMMER 2012